Double Dice: Takahashi: Murakami

We caught up with Daisuke Takahashi in Toronto last week. Takahashi spent four days having a new short program — ″The Sheltering Sky″ by John Grant — choreographed by David Wilson. ″I thought I would be creating a new show program for Daisuke so I was really surprised when I learned it would be a competitive routine. I love his skating,″ Wilson said.

Benoît Richaud choreographed a new long program for the Japanese star in Courchevel in June.

Takahashi looks as sharp as he did four years ago, but with an edge to his skating that has come with maturity. We are looking forward to seeing him debut both programs later this year.

Takahashi and Daisuke Murakami, who is spending the summer in the city visiting friends and taking it easy before he decides what comes next in his life, did some sightseeing when they had time, including taking a trip to Niagara Falls one afternoon.

Murakami could have a new career as an interpreter — he did a first-class job working on this fun project with us. (See: Daisuke Murakami Retires)

You can read our exclusive interview with Takahashi in the October issue of International Figure Skating.